Attachment mechanism



April 16, 1957 E. .1. NOWICKI 2,788,902

ATTACHMENT MECHANISM Filed Nov. 16, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 111 I A IINVENTOR. faw/n d. N0 w/ck/ A TTaR/VEYS E. J. NOwlCKl ATTACHMENTMECHANISM April 16, 1957 s Shee ts-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 16, 195 5INVENTQR. Edvv/n d. Now/ck/ BY 9, l-mwwu ATT RNEYS April 16, 1957 E. J.NOWlCKl 2,788,902

ATTACHMENT MECHANISM Filed Nov. 16, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEIY TOR.Edwm c/ A/ow/cki ZWWF M United States Patent ATTACHMENT MECHANISM EdwinJ. Nowicki, Bronson, MiclL, assignor to L. A. Darling Company, Bronson,Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application November 16, 1955, SerialNo. 547,194

2 Claims. (Cl. 211-147) This invention relates to an attachmentmechanism, and, more particularly, to such a mechanism for attaching ashelf, counter top or similar structure to a supporting bracket.

Numerous systems involving brackets and supporting members of one typeor another have been suggested for use in the merchandise display fieldpSuch systems are intended to be flexible in the sense that the positionsand numbers of brackets for supporting shelves, counter tops and otherdisplay media can be varied to accommodate changing requirements in thedisplay field.

The flexibility of such systems can be greatly increased by utilizingthe modular construction concept so that shelves, counter tops or thelike of a required length are produced from the requisite number ofmodular sections. Each such modular section can then abut against anadjacent section, constitute in itself an entire shelf, counter top orthe like, or constitute one end of a shelf, counter top or the like.

The instant invention is based upon the discovery of an improvedattachment mechanism for locking shelves, counter tops or the like tosupporting brackets.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide such an improvedlocking mechanism.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a display or otherassembly comprising brackets, supporting members therefor, and shelves,counter tops or the like clamped to the bracket members by an improvedmechanism.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the description whichfollows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which-Fig.1 is a perspective view showing a specific display or otherstructure wherein shelves, counter tops or the like are attached tobracket members by an improved mechanism according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view along either of the lines 22 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective from the position indicated by the'line3-3 of Fig. 1, showing details of an attachment mechanism according tothe invention;

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective similar to Fig. 3 taken from theposition indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. l and showing details of theattachment mechanism used in a different way;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing details of the attachment mechanismof Figs. 3 and 4 fastened to a shelf, counter top or the like;

Fig. 6 is a partially schematic representation in vertical elevation,with parts broken away, showing details of a bracket which is also shownin Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a view in horizontal section along the line 77 of Fig. 6, andshowing further details of the bracket;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view along the line 8-8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a view in perspective similar to Fig. 3 showing a modificationof an attachment mechanism according to the invention which is adaptedfor cooperation with a different bracket;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 4, and showing theattachment mechanism of Fig. 9, but used in a different Way; and

Fig. 11 is a view in perspective showing the attachment mechanism ofFigs. 9 and 10 fastened to a shelf, counter top, or the like.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, and particularly to Fig.1, the display or other structure shown comprises a plurality of wallpanels 10, the edges of which are engaged in side channel portions ofvertical uprights 11. The uprights 11 can be supported in any suitablemanner (not illustrated); for example, they can be bolted to an existingwall structure or engaged in suitable clips at their upper and lowerextremities. The uprights 11 have forward opening restricted channelportions 12 in which engaging portions of brackets indicated generallyat 13 and 14 are seated as subsequently discussed in more detail. Thebrackets 13 and 14 support, respectively, edges of shelf sections 15 and16.

Each of the brackets 13 and 14 has an engaging portion indicatedgenerally at 17 which, in the specific structure shown, is composed of agenerally flat body part 18 with a channel-shaped projecting portion 19extending lengthwise thereof.

As will be apparent from Fig. 2, the channel-shaped projecting portion19 seats in the restricted channel portion 12 of the uprights 11, andthe brackets 13 and 14 are clamped in any desired position relative tothe uprights by a retainer 20 into which a member 21 is threaded. Themember 21 extends through an opening in the web of the channel portion19, and can be tightened against shoulders 22 of the uprights 11 merelyby turning the member 21 relative to the retainer 20. When it is desiredto separate either of the brackets 13 or 14 from one of the uprights 11the member 21 is rotated relative to the retainer 2% to release thelatter from the shoulders 22, and then turned until the retainer isaxially aligned with the restricted channel opening 12. In this positionthe retainer can be withdrawn through the restricted channel.

As will be apparent from Figs. 3 and 4, each of the brackets 13 and 14has a supporting member indicated generally at 23. Each supportingmember 23 is composed of a channel 24 having a web and side walls, andflanges 25, which constitute the supports for shelf sections, or thelike, which are structurally integral with the free edges of the sidewalls of the channels 24, and which extend outwardly therefrom generallyparallel to the webs of the channels 24. Longitudinally disposed slots26 are provided in the web of the channel 24 (see also Fig. 7).

The two shelf sections 15 and 16 are identical in structural details.Attached to the underside of each, as will be apparent from Fig. 5, arecooperating engaging mechanisms generally indicated respectively at 27and 28. The mechanism 27 comprises a plate portion 29 welded orotherwise rigidly attached to the underside of the shelf section 15 or16, and generally parallel upturned flange portions 30 structurallyintegral therewith. Locking fingers 31 are structurally integral withthe flange portions 30, constituting, in essence, extensions thereof.Each of the fingers 31 has a rounded undercut nose portion which, incooperation with a portion of the edge of one of the flanges 30 definesa slot 32. The length of each of the fingers 31 is such that, whenlongitudinally aligned therewith, it will slip through either of theopenings 26 in the web of the channel portion of the bracket 13 or 14.

The engaging mechanism 28 comprises a Web portion 33 welded or otherwiserigidly attached to the underside of the shelf section 15 or 16 and arms34 structurally Patented Apr. 16, 1957' integral therewith. The arms 34are composed of portions which are generally parallel to one another,and

portions 36 so shaped that they converge toward one another to define arestricted channel portion 37.

As will be apparent. from Figs. 3 and 4, the width of the restrictedchannel portion 37 is such that either of the flanges 25 can bepositioned therein with the flange engaged under one of the portions 36of the arms 35, and held in such engagement by the other of the portions36, which bears against the side arm of the channel 24 which isstructurally integral with the engaged flange (see also Fig. 8).

In order to disengage a shelf section '15 or 16 from a bracketsupporting number 23 it is necessary only to move the bracket, relativeto the section, in the direction of the generally horizontal arrows inFigs. 3 and 4 until the rounded nose portion of the finger 33. isaligned with the slot 26, and then to move the rear extremity of thesection in the direction of the generally vertical arrow until thefingers 31 clear the slots 26. The section can then be moved farther inthe'direction of the horizontal arrows until the engaged flange 25' isfree of the mechanism 28. A section is engaged on a bracket portion 23by reversing the procedure just described.

The spacing between the slots'26 and the web of the channel member 2 andbetween the fingers 31 of the mechanism 27 is such that when one of theflanges 25 is engaged in the mechanism 28, one of the fingers 31 isaligned with a slot 26, while the other clears the edge of the engagedflange 25, while, when the other of the flanges 25 is engaged in themechanism 28, the other finger 31 is aligned with the other of the slots26, while the first finger clears the engaged flange 25.

Referring now to Fig. 9, a shelf or counter top section 38 is shownattached to a supporting member 39 of a bracket indicated generally at49. The supporting member 3? of the bracket 40 is generally flat and hasa pair of spaced parallel openings 43. provided therein (see Fig. 10).An engaging mechanism indicated generally at 42 and an engagingmechanism 27 are welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the undersideof the section 38.

As will be apparent from Fig. 11, the mechanism 27 is identical withthat described in connection with Fig. 5, being composed of a plateportion 29 welded or otherwise attached to the section 38, flangeportions 30, and locking fingers 31.

The engaging mechanism 42 comprises a plate portion 43 which is attachedto the section 38, and is structurally integral with an upturned portion44 to which is welded or otherwise rigidly attached a channeled portioncom- 7 posed'of a web 45 and side walls 46.

Referring again to Fig. 9, the bracket 40 is shown in engagement withthe section 38. One of the fingers 31 of the mechanism 27 extendsthrough one of the openings 41, and the forward extremity of thesupporting portion 39 of the bracket 4i) is engaged between the sidearms 46 of the engaging mechanism 42.

The section 38 and the bracket 40 are shown in a second engagedrelationship in Fig. 10, with the other of the fingers 31 extendingthrough the other of the openings 41. It will be noted that,'in Fig. 10,an edge 47 of the supporting portion 39 of the bracket 40 abuts againstthe web 45, while this edge is spaced from the web in the assembly ofFig. 9. The assembly of Fig. 10, like the assembly of Fig. 4, leavesapproximately one half of the supporting portion of the bracketextending beyond the end of the supported section, and available forengagement with an abutting section. In the assemblies of Figs. 9 and10, however, only the side arms '46 of the channel of the supportingmechanism 42 prevent relative movement between the section and thebracket. This is etfective for preventing relative vertical movement,but does not prevent relative horizontal movement longitudinal of thesection 38. The assemblies of Figs. 3 and 4 are, therefore, preferredbecause of the positive engage- 4 ment between the portions 36 of themechanism 28 and one of the flanges 24 of the bracket 23.

In the assembly of Fig. 10, like that of Fig. 4, the entire supportingportion of the bracket is positioned in vertical alignment with somepart of the section. Such an assembly is used as at the exposed end ofthe section 16 shown in Fig. l where it is not desired to abut anadjacent section to such end.

While the invention has been described as applied to the attachment ofshelf, counter top or other modular sections to brackets engaged ininterior clamping engagement in a suitable channel member, it will beapparent that it is equally applicable to brackets engaged in other waysin suitable supports. For example, the supports can be slotted stripmembers, longitudinally extending members provided with keyhole slots,or other, so long as the brackets have suitable cooperative means forengagement thereon. Other changes and modifications can be made from thespecific details shown in the attached drawings and discussed inconnection therewith without departing from the spirit of the attachedclaims. In its essential details, the invention provides a shelf orother modular section for engagement with a cooperating bracket having asupporting member and an opening through the supporting member. Thesection is characterized by an engaging mechanism and a lockingmechanism, each structurally integral with the section. The engagingmechanism comprises arms positioned for sliding engagement with anextremity of the supporting member of the cooperating bracket, while thelocking mechanism comprises a finger insertable, by relative lateralmovement between the bracket supporting member and the section, in theopening in the supporting member when the extremity thereof is engagedby the arms of the engaging mechanism, and means structurally integralwith the finger for engaging a surface of the supporting member adjacentthe opening therethrough to prevent, in at least one relativelongitudinal position therebetween, relative lateral movement betweenthe section and the supporting member.

What I claim is: V V

l. A shelf section for engagement with a cooperating bracket, saidbracket having a supporting member of generally uniform cross-sectionconsisting of a channel part having a web and side Walls, and a flangeportion structurally integral with and extending outwardly, generallyparallel to the web, from the free edge of each of the side walls, andtwo generally parallel spaced openings through the web of the supportingmember, and said shelf section being characterized by an engagingmechanism and a locking mechanism, each structurally integral therewith,said engaging mechanism comprising arms positioned on the bottom of thesection extending therebelow for sliding engagement with either of theflanges and the adjacent side Wall of the bracket supporting member,adjacent an extremity thereof, and said locking mechanism comprisingvertical finger means on the bottom of the section, spaced from andaligned with said arms, and insertable in one of the openings in thesupporting member when the extremity of either of the flanges of thesupporting member is engaged by said arms of said engaging mechanism,and means structurally integral with said finger means for engaging asurface of the web of the supporting member adjacent one of the openingstherethrough, to prevent, in at least one relative longitudinal positiontherebetween, relative lateral movement between the section and thesupporting member.

2. A shelf section for engagement with a cooperating bracket, saidbracket having a supporting member of generally uniform cross-sectionconsisting of a channel part having a web and side walls, and a flangestructurally integral with and extending outwardly, generally parallelto the web, from the free edge of each of the sidewalls, and twogenerally parallel spaced openingsthrough the web of the supportingmember, and said shelf section being characterized by an engagingmechanism and a locking mechanism, each structurally integral therewith,said engaging mechanism comprising arms positioned on the bottom of thesection extending therebelow for sliding engagement with either of theflanges and the adjacent side wall of the bracket supporting member,adjacent an extremity thereof, and said locking mechanism comprising twospaced, generally parallel and vertical fingers on the bottom of thesection spaced from and aligned with said arms, and one of which isinsertable, by relative lateral movement between the bracket supportingmember and the section, in one of the openings in the supporting memberwhen the extremity of either of the flanges of the supporting member isengaged by said arms of said engaging mechanism, and means structurallyintegral with each of said fingers for engaging a surface of the web ofthe supporting member adjacent one of the openings therethrough, toprevent, in at least one relative longitudinal position therebetween,relative lateral movement between the section and the supporting member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS569,640 Hartzell Oct. 20, 1896 723,677 Kade Mar. 24, 1903 946,337 ClearJan. 11, 1910 1,674,913 Morris et al. June 26, 1926 1,764,766 White June17, 1930 1,806,642 Ohnstrand May 26, 1931 2,400,162 Mulligan May 14,1946 2,487,507 Zalkind Nov. 8, 1949 2,626,198 Vanderveld Jan. 20, 19532,643,170 Vanderveld et al June 23, 1953 2,688,901 Haugaard Sept. 14,1954

